PLANS have been revealed to improve safety at two notorious junctions on the A66 near Cockermouth.

Campaigners have been calling for action on the busy junctions by Broughton and Brigham for up to 20 years.

They were delighted to receive plans, for a four-arm roundabout between the junctions, from Highways England this week.

Broughton and Brigham Parish Councils and Allerdale councillor Nicky Cockburn have all been asked to comment on the plans, for which funding has still not been secured.

Councillor Cockburn has been campaigning for improvements at the accident blackspot for more than 10 years.

"I'm absolutely delighted to see these plans, when they eventually get funding that will be the icing on the cake," she said.

"I have contacted them over and over again - every time there is another accident I get in touch - but was studiously ignored for a long time.

"There have been quite a few different people campaigning and I have always been quietly optimistic.

"People just want them to get on now."

Broughton Parish Council's Sue Hannah, who first began campaigning for a roundabout at the junction around 20 years ago, said: "I'm relieved, I was beginning to worry that it had been shelved because we were not getting any responses to our queries.

"We always knew it would be a long process - and it probably still will be. It's good to know it's still moving in the right direction."

Mrs Hannah has no doubt about how important the changes are.

"I hate that junction. Every time I sit at it, particularly when it's dark, I feel like I'm taking my life in my hands," she said.

"I see so many situations that people get into and which so nearly result in a bad accident."

The Highways letter, which asks for comments, states: "The feasibility design is almost complete; the progression of the scheme will depend upon the detailed design being completed and the necessary funds being successfully secured with a view to start construction in the next financial year."

Comments should be sent to Area13enquiries@highwaysengland.co.uk (subject: A66 Brigham Broughton Consultation) by January 31.